Completely meaningless preseason games are here! There’s still plenty to watch.
Will Shipley
Saquon Barkley is going to decline this season, that’s just the way it goes when A) you are coming off an all time great season, B) you are a high usage running back, or C) both. There will be opportunities for Shipley to show he can be a dependable player. Those opportunities start tonight.
Someone at safety look decent
Andrew Mukaba is unlikely to play because he was not able to practice. Vic Fangio seems to like Tristin McCollum, at least compared to Sydney Brown. Andre Sam, Lewis Cine, and Maxen Hook will play in the second half because someone has to.
The Eagles have already traded for a cornerback, don’t be surprised if they trade for a safety before the start of the season if someone can’t show they’re ready.
On paper, Fangio’s plan to play Cooper DeJean at safety when in “base” (nickel is now base, but I digress) makes total sense, you want to keep DeJean on the field as much as you can. But I worry that whoever winds up being the nickel only safety is going to have their ups and down because of the part time role they will have. If you’re a cornerback getting rotated is part of the job, but for a safety they typically play all the snaps. Something to keep an eye on during the season.
A depth WR step up
Being a backup WR on the Eagles is a boring role because you will rarely see the ball. But when you do see it, you have to make the most of it. So somebody, anybody, make a few plays. Jahan Dotson? Great. Johnny Wilson? Awesome. Elijah Cooks? Sure. I don’t care who.
At full health WR3 is just getting cardio, but AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith each missed three games due to injury last year and the Eagles averaged just 19 points a game in those games.
The bar is pretty low here, someone just not trip over it.
Competency from a backup center
On the one hand, it was awesome to see Landon Dickerson start at center in the NFC Championship Game, and then when he got hurt to see Cam Jurgens take over and finish the game. It said a lot about how tough this team is.
But on the other hand, it sure would be nice to have a real backup center. Sliding over Dickerson means that while only one name on the starting lineup changes, two roles do. A legitimate backup center would keep the moving parts to a minimum if Cam Jurgens gets hurt. Keep an eye on rookie Drew Kendall.
Tanner McKee ball out
Because it’s fun.
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